GunnerBill

You need to stop the designed runs. You don't need to be overly concerned about the scrambles. Teams who sell out on the scrambles find that Baltimore just execute their offense all over them.

As has been explained multiple times..... there is not enough time in the schedule to allow that given the timing of the combine, free agency and the draft. The NFL would have to move everything else back at least 2 weeks and they are down to only 4 weeks off between mini camp and camp already. They are the only weeks coaches and personnel guys get off the entire year.

Agree. Him not sticking in Indy (where the WR depth is poor) is a bit of a reg flag but they don't have an established culture and a proven QB like we do. And he has to know this is his final shot.

I think I'd defer. But I see the argument for taking the ball in this game.

Yep. Shut down the conventional run game - the backs - and muddy the reads for Lamar in the middle of the field. That is the gameplan that beats the Ravens. Put Lamar in as many dropback passing 3rd and longs as possible. He will get out 3 or 4 times and scramble for firsts. Doesn't matter. Stay patient. If you get him in 3rd and 8 six times a game you will likely get him off the field four of those times.

The key moment in the game was the drive before the Love INT when Purdy threw an absolute duck out route that the Packers DB let slip through his hands. If he catches that they are set up in the scoring zone and the game is done. I thought Green Bay got away from the run a little bit second half and the 9ers were able to key in on playing the pass even in the play actions. This Green Bay team is for real though. Youngest roster in the NFL and they gave the best roster in the NFL all they could handle. They are going to be a tough out the next few years.

But their only way to get more linebackers up woulda been to cut someone. I hope Bernard is up. But will still be a pleasant surprise to me if he is.

Their big plays even first half were from CJ creating something from nothing. Their offense had basically no designed plays that worked. It gave the illusion of being close. But that game was a blowout from the start. Yes, but Houston's only touchdown was a punt return and the only success they were having defensively was blitzing. That wasn't a sustainable way of competing in the game. As I say.... it gave the illusion of being closer than it was.

Nah. Spector isn't going so they are already down a linebacker. I still feel its unlikely Bernard goes. But not sure this elevation signals that.

It was never close today. Houston's offense scored 3 points. More than it appears. It was a total beatdown.

Hmm. Not sure. I think it means Douglas is good to go. I think TJ will be... but I am not sure Josh Norman was linked to that.

I never felt that. I felt they were clinging on in an unsustainable way against a better team.

They have been beaten by a much more talented and experienced team.

I actually think it starts with contain the conventional run game - i.e. the running backs. If Lamar scampers for a couple of long runs, fine... he can't do that on every 2nd and 3rd and long. If he is their ONLY run game then they become much easier to defend and you are gonna force Lamar into drop back pass game and out of RPO.

A punt return and a few blitzes allowed them to cling on 1st half. But they were never really in the game. Still a great year for them. Keep stacking good drafts and build around CJ.

Now the scoreline starts to reflect the game. This has been an utter beatdown. The Ravens are a very complete team.

That is the fit I like for the Chargers.

They miss Tank Dell. He was their difference maker. But I think the penalties have hurt and it is just not clear what they were trying to do on O.

The Houston offense has looked like the Bills offense on a bad day today. Not established anything. Not sure how they are trying to attack the Ravens. It is just snap it and hope CJ Stoud makes some magic.

More.

Yea no guarantee it works. But I liked him coming out and he has some actual talent. Definitely worth the lottery ticket.

I like to do this each January, look back at the guys that were left on my draftboard, or highlighted in my sleepers thread for the previous year's draft and how their first year in the NFL has gone. Some alumni of this column who have gone on to have on to have good careers are Robby "Chosen" Anderson (2016); Carl Granderson (2019); Bryce Huff and Juwan Johnson (2020). At the end of the 2023 NFL Draft I had 6 guys on my board with draftable grades not taken: Emil Ekiyor, IOL, Alabama Ekiyor was a 4th rounder on my board and was signed as an UDFA by the Colts. He was waived at the end of camp and has not been picked up by anyone else. His NFL dream is likely over. Eli Ricks, CB, Alabama Ricks was also an early 4th rounder to me and he has fared somewhat better than his former Crimson Tide teammate. He made the Eagles roster as an UDFA and has stayed on the active roster all season. Ricks established himself as a core special teamer and has had 3 pass breakups and 1 tackle for loss in his limited defensive snaps where he has played a bit on the outside and a bit in the slot. With their two vet corners - Slay and Bradberry - having tough seasons, Ricks should get a shot to compete again in 2024. Brandon Joseph, S, Notre Dame Joseph was also a 4th rounder and was signed as an UDFA by the Lions and has spent the majority of the season on their Practice Squad. He did receive his two free elevations and played in a couple of games, exclusively on special teams. Ivan Pace, LB, Cincinnati Pace was another 4th round grade by my board and has been the success story of this group. By the season's end he had established himself as a starting linebacker for the Vikings who snagged him as an UDFA after the draft and accumulated 2.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception and 2 tackles for loss as a rookie. Primed for an even bigger year in 2024 and has already won an NFC defensive player of the week award. Rezjohn Wright, CB, Oregon State Rezjohn Wright was an early 5th rounder by my board and was signed as an UDFA by the Carolina Panthers. He was waived at cutdowns and signed to their practice squad. He also spent time on the Raiders practice squad during the season and has just signed with the Saints on a futures contract. Trey Dean III, S, Florida The Jets signed Dean, who I had a 5th round grade on, as an UDFA after the draft. He was cut at the end of camp and signed to the practice squad where he remained the entire season, without being elevated or appearing in any games. His practice squad contract expired at the end of the Jets' season and he became a FA - who was quickly scooped up by the Chiefs and will remain on their practice squad until their season ends (hopefully sooner rather than later). There were also two guys that I hadn't watched enough of to have a full grade on or to have on my board but who I flagged in my sleepers list prior to the draft who then went undrafted. They were: Bryce Ford-Wheaton, WR, West Virginia The Giants snagged Ford-Wheaton as an UDFA and he had an impressive camp. He was starting on four special teams units and had catches on offense in their first two pre-season games. The local beat guys there seemed to think he had a real shot at the 53 before tearing his ACL in the final pre-season outing and heading to IR. He will try again in 2024. Jordan Mims, RB, Fresno State It was our very own Buffalo Bills who signed Mims out of Fresno State and he made some plays in pre-season. However, he didn't make the roster and chose to sign with the Saints' practice squad (not clear whether the Bills tried to get him back). He then bounced on and off the roster early in the year when the Saints had running back injuries, appearing in two games but not logging any carries. He has now signed to a futures contract. Overall one real hit, one real miss and a bunch of other guys in between who have either seen limited action or no action but remain on rosters and still have a chance to stick longer term. I don't think last year's was a particularly good draft but there are always 1 or 2 guys who sneak through and can make an impact as undrafted players.

Frazier and Garrett did get the jobs permanently and take their teams to the playoffs at least but other than them (and Marrone mentioned above) not a lot to note.

I think the chance to coach Herbert is no doubt tempting. But it is one of the worst ownership situations in the league. They don't like spending money and they interfere. Worst of both worlds. And Harbaugh is incapable of biting his tongue

The only other one I have is Marrone in Jax. Took them to an AFCCG but it was a lightening in a bottle season and they disintegrated quickly after. The one that always stood out as "shoulda" to me is Dan Campbell in Miami. Went 5-7 but his team competed their asses off every week and they passed him over to hire Adam Gase. Major mistake and I was saying it even then.